[ad_1]
After two weeks of preparation, the news on Saturday that De'Aaron Fox had retired from the group for the United States Team World Cup was a shock.
According to Yahoo! Chris Haynes of Sports, the Kings playmaker made the decision to "focus on [the] coming season with [the] purpose of doing [the] playoffs ", which is great for Sacramento but also slightly confusing.
Fox had only panicked at his training camp in Las Vegas two weeks ago and again this week in Los Angeles. Fox expressed his enthusiasm about the process and the potential to play for the US team.
Fox turned heads with his speed and shooting ability. Until half-time of Friday night's game against Spain, he looked like the goalkeeper of the American team behind Kemba Walker.
After the 90-81 win against Spain at the Honda Center, NBC Sports California met with Fox, who said he was honored to wear the US team uniform. .
"It was really great to play against a different country. It was the first time I did it, Fox said. "I really enjoyed myself doing it."
When asked when he was boarding a plane to Australia the next day, Fox, like the rest of the team, had not yet been notified of his arrival in the team and replied: "We will inquire."
The US team, Gregg Popovich, announced after the game that the 14 finalists competing for the list of 12 registered players would travel to Australia to prepare for the tournament that will begin August 31 in China.
After playing only six minutes against Spain, Fox had to apprehend his situation with Team USA. Abandoning everything and getting on the team's plane means spending a minimum of 12 days in Australia, with a potential of 17 additional days in China thereafter.
You must be sure of what engagement means before you start with both feet. Going on the road without being assured of being part of the team is a big demand, but that's exactly what Popovich and Team USA General Manager Jerry Colangelo asked Fox and others on Friday night.
The experiment could contribute to Fox's development – and probably has already done so – but it would also cause a lot of wear and tear to the 21-year-old. Just for flights, he would have traveled nearly 20,000 miles with Team USA.
With the Kings already booked during a preparatory trip to India in October, Fox would commit to traveling nearly 40,000 miles in the air over a period of eight weeks, which would lead to a program of 82 games in the regular season. Adding to the equation, the Kings will travel the third highest number of NBA miles this season, including two trips to both New York and Florida.
The swingman of the Kings, Harrison Barnes, decided to stay with the US team, but he also started the match against Spain and ensured a place among the oldest players. Barnes is also a veteran veteran who has already gone through this process and knows what lies ahead.
[[[[RELATED: Why Fox is not angry at a national televised match]
In the end, it is disappointing that Fox is not fighting for a gold medal with the national team, but he has probably made the best decision for himself and the Kings.
The NBA schedule is brutal and Fox is expected to have a huge load on his team this season as he tries to end a drought in the 13-year playoffs. Having fresh legs and fresh mind at the opening of the training camp at the end of September is a must.
[ad_2]
Source link